CLIVE GRIFFITHS has spoken for the first time about his delight at being back in the Wales fold under Mike Ruddock.

And he has given the low-down on the new defensive strategy that "blitzed" the Barbarians in Ruddock's opening game in charge.

Griffiths' role as Wales defence coach became marginalised during Steve Hansen's two-year reign, culminating in him not being involved in this year's Six Nations.

But now he is firmly back on board, having been drafted in by new head coach Ruddock, who he worked alongside at the Dragons.

And he has made an immediate impact on his return, with Wales shutting out the Baa-Baas during last Wednesday's 42-0 victory at Ashton Gate.

Griffiths was originally brought into the Welsh set-up by Graham Henry, who was keen to exploit the defensive expertise he had gained through his long association with rugby league.

But it's common knowledge that things gradually changed when another Kiwi, Hansen, took over the reins after Henry stood down in February 2002.

"Graham brought me in to do a specific defensive role and, in his own words, to coach across the board and have a high level of involvement," said Griffiths.

"Under Steve, because of the style of his coaching, management and communication, that role became diluted.

"That is no secret and that's all I want to say on the matter. It's done and dusted and all I want to do now is focus on the future."

The first indication that Griffiths' role under Hansen was diminishing came last summer, when he didn't go on Wales' torrid tour of Australia and New Zealand.

Financial reasons were cited, but it did seem strange to visit two of the most powerful and attack-minded rugby nations on the planet without taking your defence coach.

Griffiths did go to the World Cup in Australia, where his contribution was perhaps most notable in the crucial group victory over Italy, during which Wales soaked up a considerable amount of pressure and held firm.

Yet it looked as though his involvement with the national squad was over when it was announced he wouldn't be on board during the Six Nations - only for the shock appointment of Ruddock as Hansen's successor to re-open the door.

Suffice to say, the former Wales, Great Britain, Warrington and St Helens RL coach couldn't be happier with the current arrangement.

"With Mike I have always had a full role, both at A-level and with the Dragons," said Griffiths.

"He will pass me the script and let me get on with it. There is trust there.

"He wants to know what I'm doing, but once the whistle blows he stands back and I'm able to do my thing.

"I have enjoyed this past season working with him and the players at the Dragons so much that I can't put it into words. It was really refreshing.

"The role I had was very diverse. It was an ideal working relationship as we complemented each other well throughout the season.

"Mike is someone who I can relate to. He's a good man-manager and there is a real character about him.

"He's a passionate Welshman, but someone who can make logical decisions in the heat of battle. That is the good thing about him.

"He's been through a few battles and has a great deal of experience to impart to the players.

"He is very well organised in terms of the set-pieces. The first thing he says is we can't go back in the scrum.

"As a guy, he's very down to earth. Sometimes his feet are almost buried he's so down to earth!

"I'm really delighted to be working with him, the players and the rest of the management team now at national level.

"But please, please will someone tell him he is no Eric Clapton on the guitar!"

While the six-try victory over the Baa-Baas was a dream start for Ruddock in terms of the result, it was also a triumph for Griffiths.

It was the first time the world-famous invitation team had been "nilled" since they were beaten 13-0 by Newport in 1978.

The achievement was all the more impressive as Griffiths only had limited time to introduce a brand-new defensive system.

It was a rush job in more ways than one, but a hugely successful one.

"We've got to be delighted with the way it went," said Griffiths. "On the couple of occasions when they did break us, the cover defence and commitment was outstanding.

"The pride in our defence to keep them to nil at the end when they were camped on our line speaks volumes for the attitude of the players. It was a very good start."

Outlining the thinking behind the rush defence which Wales employed, Griffiths said, "Everyone calls it the blitz, but I prefer to call it 'up and in'. Basically the movement is in towards the ball from outside.

"What I am looking for isn't tackling to contain, but a go-forward, aggressive in-your-face defence."

Griffiths concluded, "I will do everything in my power to make us a better defensive unit than we have been.

"Defence is half the game, so it's vitally important we cover every aspect from technique to tactics.

"There's a lot of hard work to be done, not just in squad sessions but going out and working with the various defence coaches around the regions.

"But I'm very happy with the job I've got. I'm really excited about the challenges ahead and I am looking forward to the future immensely."